The 3,500 spectators inside the Bell Center and many thousands on the streets of Montreal had to cheer when Josh Anderson gave the home team the lead after just over a quarter of a game.
But the jubilation that then spread over Montreal was a westerly wind compared to the roar of victory that came when Anderson after a counterattack almost lying in the air pushed the winning goal to 3-2 in overtime.
- We had a feeling that the final would continue and have already packed our bags to go down to Tampa tomorrow, Anderson says at the press conference after the match.
"Be a wall"
Tampa came to the match with 3-0 in matches and after equalizing to 2-2 13.48 into the third period, they went for victory in overtime.
They also had to start the extra time in powerplay after Shea Weber got four minutes for a high club at the end of the third.
And the guests were on for an early decision.
Carey Price in Montreal's goal was forced to save puck on puck.
- Carey was like a wall tonight and gave us the chance to win.
He was fantastic, says Josh Anderson.
But just under four minutes into extra time, Montreal's winning goal came.
Can win at home
- When you are down 0-3, you try to change things and make the team better, and it worked.
We held together and we believe in each other.
Now we have a good situation, says Anderson.
If Montreal were to turn against all odds in the final series, it would be the second time in NHL history that a team goes from 0-3 in a final to raise the dent.
So far the only time this has happened was in 1942 when Toronto turned against Detroit.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, now has the chance to win the Stanley Cup in front of 18,000 home supporters on Thursday night, Swedish time.